Song of the Day: Forro In The Dark – Perro Loco

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Each and every Friday we offer songs by local artists. Today’s featured selection, chosen by Afternoon Show host Kevin Cole, is “Perro Loco” by Forro in the Dark from the group’s 2009 album Light A Candle on Nat Geo Music.

Formerly of Brazil but now in New York City, Forro In The Dark spent the last few years not only developing their sound and touring but simply introducing American audiences to their style of music. As their name suggests, Forro In The Dark mix the traditional style of Brazilian forró with a modern pop style to create a sound that will enchant first time listeners and have them coming back again.

From their new album on Nat Geo Music, titled Light A Candle, “Perro Loco” is a single the band hopes will show the world that while forró is Portuguese for “party”, it’s a party that has energy, character, and depth. Its entirety sung in Portuguese, “Perro Loco” is a funky party jam complete with saxaphone, zabumba, pifano flute, and guitars that is, presumably, about a crazy dog (as the title would imply). Even if you don’t speak the language you’ll find yourself singing the chorus after a few cursory listens and appreciating the layers of instrumentation upon further listens.

Forro In The Dark continue their European tour through mid-November with dates in Istanbul, Stockholm, Helsinki, Berlin, and a handful of others. The group lands stateside on November 19th for a date at The Mint in Los Angeles then continuing up the coast with stops in San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle, where they will play the always intimate High Dive in Fremont. Check out their MySpace page for more details. For now, enjoy this video of another song from the new album, called “Nonsensical”: